Ghana must come first – Regional Minister
Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, on Monday urged Ghanaians to allow the national interest to override their individual political aspirations as the country gears towards the December general election.
He said the Government would work hard to ensure that the presidential and parliamentary elections were free, fair and devoid of electoral fraud and malpractices.
The Regional Minister was speaking at an end of year party organised by the Regional Coordinating Council for the general public, departmental heads and media practitioners in Sunyani.
Mr. Nyamekye Marfo noted with regret that election disputes had stirred troubles and wars in some parts of Africa due to misunderstandings among the leadership of political parties and supporters.
He advised Ghanaians to take a cue from what had happened in those countries and contribute to the success of the elections by eschewing inflammatory remarks during campaigns.
Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo advised the Youth to be wary of and avoid politicians who would entice them with gifts and money ostensibly to use them to foment troubles for their selfish political gains.
According to him, the new voters’ registration exercise would soon commence and called on eligible voters to register to enable them to exercise their franchise in December.
He said the 1992 constitution allowed for democratic rule “but we must be responsible in our utterances especially during political campaigns and on the airwaves by radio presenters, as well as serial callers during the phone-in segment”.
The Regional Minister warned the Youth below the age of 18 years to avoid attempting to register since those who would flout the electoral laws would not be spared.
“Any political party or activist who will induce children below the age of 18 to register during the exercise will also be found wanting of the law”, he warned.
Mr. Nyamekye Marfo said the Brong-Ahafo Region had had its fair share of the government’s “better Ghana agenda” especially in the areas of education, health, agriculture, roads and called for unity among the people to facilitate accelerated development.
“The 2011 better Ghana agenda had a solid foundation in the region”, the Regional Minister stated, and said the establishment of the University of Energy in Dormaa-Ahenkro was on course.
Mr. Nyamekye Marfo explained that contracts had been awarded for the construction of two storey buildings at the Fiapre campus of the Faculty of Forest Resources and Technology of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to push the programme forward.
Dignitaries at the party included Mrs. Cecilia Johnson, Member of Council of State, Mr. Kwasi Oppong-Ababio, Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Robert Ayalingo, Regional Police Commander.
Source: GNA